Just as the crowd gasped in shock, a figure rushed in swiftly and kicked the iron shovel out of Lin Qinghua’s hand.
Jiang Ayao only sensed a dark shadow passing by her side and turned around upon hearing the commotion.
Seeing the flying shovel and Lin Qinghua’s disgusted yet panicked expression, she instantly understood what the woman had intended to do.
If Lu Da hadn’t arrived in time, she might have truly been beaten to death by Lin Qinghua’s shovel.
Even if she survived, she would have been severely injured.
Before Lu Da or Jiang Ayao could speak, Lin Qinghua twisted her face and played the victim first, shouting at her son and Jiang Dagen, “What are you standing there for? Your mother is being beaten, aren’t you going to help?”
“Let me see who dares!”
Lu Da took the kitchen knife from Jiang Ayao’s hand and stood protectively in front of her.
He was tall and imposing, with sharp features and an intimidating aura that commanded authority even without anger.
The scene left the surrounding people too terrified to breathe loudly, and Jiang Dagen immediately shrank back, quickly moving to Lin Qinghua’s side and pulling her arm to retreat.
Lin Qinghua snapped impatiently, “Why are you pulling me?”
Her son tugged at her arm, “Mother, this Lu Da is so fierce. He’s a hunter who can even kill wild boars. Why are you provoking him?”
Though frightened, Lin Qinghua retorted defiantly, “How did I provoke him? Didn’t you see how that bastard Jiang Ayao treated her own mother?”
Hearing this, Lu Da let out a cold laugh, “I originally addressed you as in-laws out of courtesy, but now it seems unnecessary. You accepted sixteen hundred large coins to sell Jiang Ayao to me. From now on, she is part of the Lu family and has no relation to your Jiang family.”
“If you ever come to my house again claiming to be Jiang Ayao’s family to extort money, not only will Jiang Ayao burn your house down, but I will beat you every time I see you.”On what basis? That’s the person I raised.”..”
Lin Qinghua couldn’t resist stepping forward, screeching at the top of her lungs.
But before she could finish, Lu Da moved the kitchen knife in his hand. Light reflected off the blade, gleaming coldly, instantly making her swallow the rest of her words.
The neighbors were also terrified, their faces ashen, fearing Lu Da might throw the kitchen knife at them.
After all, Lu Da was a hunter who could kill wild boars—let alone people.
The neighbors, who already thought Lin Qinghua was heartless, now found her utterly reckless. Why bother provoking such a person after already selling off her daughter?
Greed knows no bounds—she deserved to be beaten.
Holding the knife in one hand and pulling Jiang Ayao with the other, Lu Da prepared to leave.
But before they had gone far, Lu Da suddenly stopped, his gaze alert as he looked toward the other end of the village.
Jiang Ayao looked at him puzzled, “What’s wrong?”
“Something’s off!”
Lu Da spoke, his expression turning serious.
Jiang Ayao focused, listening carefully, and her face also changed.
“It’s the sound of hoofbeats!”
But why would there be horses in the village?
Lu Da’s expression shifted instantly, and he turned to shout at the villagers, “Run! Go home and lock your doors!”
With that, Lu Da grabbed Jiang Ayao and turned to run in the opposite direction.
But how could people outrun horses?
Soon, a large group of riders charged into the village. The leader, brandishing a sword, herded everyone—those inside their homes and those who hadn’t made it back in time—into one group.
The sword-wielding man wore black casual clothes, his face splattered with blood, the tip of his blade also stained red.
Twenty-some men escorted a carriage into the village, their faces cold as frost, their demeanor fierce as demons.
Lu Da shielded Jiang A Yao in the center, surrounded by villagers trembling in fear, terrified these sudden bandits would take their lives.
“Is there a physician in this village?”
The man holding the reins rode up to the crowd, his blood-stained blade pointing directly at the person at the front.
It was the village chief. Though startled and legs shaking, he mustered his courage and said, “Sir, this remote hinterland has no physician. You’d need to go to the town thirty li away.”
Thirty li?
Too far.
The man with the blade looked grim, his grip tightening on the knife as he gritted his teeth and asked, “Who knows herbs and can treat wounds?”
At this, the village chief choked up.
Country folk here treated wounds by wrapping them with cloth and applying some herbs. Poor villagers couldn’t afford proper treatment—they relied on folk remedies. If it worked, they lived; if not, they died.
This was common knowledge in every household—how could he answer?
The leader noticed his hesitation and spoke with increasing menace, “Won’t talk? Should I kill you, you think?”
Threatened, the village chief dropped to his knees, clasping his hands in plea, “Sir, please, no, truly no—there’s really no one here who can!”
“If no one knows, then find someone. Bring someone within a quarter of an hour. If my master is cured, a hundred taels of gold as reward. If not, you’ll all be buried with him.”
The village chief collapsed to the ground in terror—what could he do?
A quarter of an hour—where could he possibly find someone?
Just then, Jiang A Yuan suddenly stood up, raising her hand and saying, “Sir, I know someone who can…”
Hearing this, Jiang A Yao sharply turned to look at Jiang A Yuan—that usually timid girl who never dared speak up was actually talking to armed men.
Lu Da instinctively tightened his grip on Jiang A Yao’s hand, shaking his head to signal her not to speak.
They didn’t know who the injured person was—it was unwise to step forward rashly.
But Jiang A Yao had no choice now—her ungrateful sister was about to betray her.
“Who can?” the man with the blade demanded sharply.
“Me!”
Before Jiang A Yuan could speak, Jiang A Yao stood up herself.
“I know herbs and a bit about treating wounds, but I don’t know how badly your master is injured. I’m not sure if I can save him.”
Hearing this, the man immediately dismounted, pushing people aside as he strode straight toward Jiang A Yao.
Before he reached her, Jiang A Yao pushed Lu Da’s hand away, creating distance between them.
“Don’t get involved.”
“A Yao.”
“I’ll be fine.”
Lu Da was a Hunter. Though skilled, facing over twenty armed men on horseback—if he acted, he’d only get himself killed and endanger the villagers.
Jiang A Yao saw this clearly, and Lu Da knew it too. He could only suppress his emotions and wait silently for an opportunity.
As she finished speaking, the man with the blade approached. He was fierce by nature, a scar running from his face down to his chin, the vicious mark making him look even more menacing.
When he drew near, he unceremoniously grabbed Jiang A Yao by the shoulder of her clothes and dragged her out.
Scarface pulled her to the carriage. After she climbed up, he opened the door.
Inside lay a man, his face covered in blood, his brocade robes soaked through with it.
An arrow with feathered fletching was embedded deep in his left chest.
No wonder they hadn’t gone to town to find a doctor—there simply wasn’t enough time.
“How is it?”
Scarface yanked her down and demanded harshly.
Jiang A Yao was caught off guard and nearly fell to the ground.
At that moment, she was still stunned by the pool of crimson blood. When Scarface pulled her forcefully, she nearly vomited, her face turning deathly pale as she said, “I… I’ve never treated such a severe wound before!”
She had studied traditional Chinese medicine and had learned some wound treatment, but she was far from capable of handling injuries of this magnitude.
Hearing this, Scarface immediately grew furious, pressing his knife directly against her neck. “You won’t treat it?”